Dawn Meats Brighter Futures Graduate Programme 2026

Company: Dawn Meats

Job Title: Brighter Futures Graduate Programme 2026

Location: We offer placements at multiple sites across Ireland, including Charleville (Co. Cork), Grannagh (Co. Waterford), Carrolls Cross (Co. Waterford), Rathdowney (Co. Laois), Ballyhaunis (Co. Mayo), Slane (Co. Meath), Kilbeggan (Co. Westmeath), and Kildare (Co. Kildare). 

Job type: Graduate Programme (Permanent, Full time)

About Dawn Meats:

Dawn Meats is a premium meat processor and supplier of choice for a range of leading supermarket, foodservice and restaurant businesses. Established in 1980, Dawn Meats is an industry leader with annual revenues of over €2bn, employing over 8,000 staff in 15 countries and exporting to over 50 countries.

As a family owned and managed company, Dawn Meats has a real sense of place in the community through the geographically diverse team members, farmer suppliers and many consumers who enjoy our products on a daily basis. Dawn Meats remain true to its farming heritage through the close relationships forged with over 20,000 farmers in the UK and Ireland.

Experience is the best teacher, which is why at Dawn Meats, you are given real responsibility from the start. Combined with formal training, you will work with passionate, talented people who will provide invaluable training on the job plus:

• Dedicated Mentors & First-Class Coaching: Learn directly from industry experts and receive personal guidance to help you reach your goals.
• Direct Access to Senior Leaders: Gain insights from the best in the business and influence decisions that shape our future.
• Opportunities to undertake assignments, secondments and innovative project work across the business;
• Invest in Your Development: Participate in blue-chip residential offsite training and continuous learning programmes
• Cross-Functional Experience: Take on assignments, secondments, and innovative projects across different departments and sites.
• Opportunity to take part in Partnership with leading Management Development Institutes in Ireland and the UK.
• Diverse & Inclusive Community: Join a passionate, multicultural team where your ideas are valued, and your impact is felt.

We recruit graduates across a broad range of dynamic fields, including:

• Operations & Production
• Commercial & Planning
• Strategic Procurement & Supply Chain
• Agriculture & Livestock Procurement
• Human Resources
• Marketing
• Food Safety & Quality
• New Product Development
• Accounting & Finance
• Engineering
• Health, Safety & Environmental

We’re looking for graduates who are eager to learn, driven to succeed, and ready to embrace new challenges. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Working towards achieving a relevant third-level qualification (or recently completed studying)
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Attention to detail and problem-solving ability
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Excellent interpersonal skills and time management
• Forward-thinking with an innovative approach to planning

What we offer: 

• Join a talented and passionate team, with opportunities for career progression and internal growth.
• Benefits include a company pension scheme, Bike to Work and Education Support programs, discounted meat purchases, free car parking, and provided safety equipment and workwear.

To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process, click the Continue to Application or Login/Register to apply button below.